Chronicles of coaching American football in Italy (2008, 2009 & 2018), in Sweden (2010, 2016 & 2017), in Switzerland (2012), winning a Division III National Championship in France (2012-13), in Spain (2015 & 2016) and in Mexico (2017) as well as walking the Camino de Santiago in August-September of 2010.

About Me

I have been married to Laurie for over 46 years. Our oldest son, Andy, lives in Las Vegas, Nevada with his wife Jenn and their son Kevin. Our youngest son Mike lives in Oxnard, California with his wife Vanessa and their kids Jacob and Mary. Although I retired from teaching in June of 2007, the 2015 football season marked my 45th year of coaching football at five high schools in Southern California's Ventura County - Thousand Oaks, Westlake, Rio Mesa, Buena and Newbury Park. In 2008, I opted to try something totally different in my coaching career and started coaching in Europe. My EuroBall stops have been in Catania, Sicily in 2008 & '09, Hässleholm, Sweden in 2010, Thun, Switzerland in 2012, Lyon, France in 2012-13 with the 12-0 National Champion Bron-Villeurbanne Falcons, Murcia, Spain in 2015, Rivas, Spain in 2016, Upplands-Väsby, Sweden in the Spring of 2016 & '17, in Mexico to coach the Europe Warriors in Aug. & Dec. 2017 and now in 2018 in Varese, Italy. Join me as I explore and chronicle my newest adventures coaching American football in Europe. My European touring also included a 500 mile Pilgrimage Walk on the Camino de Santiago in Spain in 2010.

Monday, September 29, 2014

Cathedral Catholic Game - "Sometimes You Win, Sometimes You Learn"

The last JV game in the month of September would also mark the season's mid-way point. The challenge would be a daunting one against a powerhouse football program from San Diego, Cathedral Catholic.

Cathedral Catholic Dons (4-0)

at

Newbury Park Panthers (4-0)

Game Captains

Special Teams: #52 Tristan Montes

Scout Team: #15 Steve Vajcovec

Defense: #6 Jack Ensey

Offense: #7 Tyler Hwang

Trench Warfare

The Dons run a very traditional and well coached Wing-T offense. Our first concern was the fact that in all four of our previous games we had started slowly but rallied back to win.

We were very concerned that if we followed our usual script, that the game might get away from us against this very solid opponent.

It would.

Punishing Dons Ground Game

FIRST QUARTER:

Cathedral Catholic Ball: The Dons wasted no time in taking the opening Kickoff and then marching 72 yards in seven plays to score the game's first points after a 29 yard run. The PAT was good, CCHS 7 - NPHS 0.

CCHS had Strong RBs

Newbury Park Ball:The Panthers did start slowly again driving only 30 yards on six plays before a pass ricocheted off of an NP receiver and into the waiting arms of a CCHS DB.

CCHS Runs It Some More

Cathedral Catholic Ball: The Dons exploded for 42 yards on only three plays, covering the last 19 yards on the ground. The PAT was wide left, CCHS 13 - NPHS 0.

We were in deep trouble and it would only get worse.

Tyler Hwang Chipping away

Newbury Park Ball:After five plays netted only 27 yards, the Panthers tried a fake punt in an attempt to get some momentum going. The fourth down gamble failed as the Panther pass fell incomplete.

Andrew Noble on the Reception

Andrew had another great day catching nine passes for 97 yards, 2 TDs and a two-point PAT.

Noble Just Keeps on Rolling

Cathedral Catholic Ball: Four Dons' plays covered 45 yards, the last eight yards on another strong run. The PAT was good and the First Quarter ended with the scoreboard reading CCHS 20 - NPHS 0.

Keep Battling,

ONE PLAY AT A TIME!

SECOND QUARTER:

Newbury Park Ball: A good Kickoff Return by Andrew Noble got the ball out to the Panthers 48 yard line. Five plays gained 27 yards but the Panthers turned the ball over on downs.

Kaiden Raduziner blocking for

Kalani Sanchez

Cathedral Catholic Ball: We were overwhelmed again as CCHS covered 75 yards on only four plays. The TD play was a 17 yard pass, the PAT was good. Dons 27 - Panthers 0.

Keep Throwing Tyler

We could not get anything going on the ground so it was time to really open up the playbook. Our QB Tyler Hwang responded, completing 29 of his 41 passes (70.7%) for 385 yards, 4 TDs and a two-point PAT.

Pursue

Newbury Park Ball: Aided by a couple of penalties on CCHS (25 yards), the Panthers did gain 34 yards on nine plays before turning the ball over on downs again at the Dons' 20 yard line.

Noble's Nice One Handed Stab

Cathedral Catholic Ball: Another eight plays gained the Dons 80 more yards and another six points. The TD play this time was a five yard pass. The PAT was good and the 4-0 Panthers were staring the dreaded "35 Point Mercy Rule" square in the face trailing CCHS 34-0.

While many teams in our position would fall apart, bickering and/or pointing fingers at each other, ours would have none of it! We bonded with our season long mantra of "Playing in Four Second Bursts, ONE PLAY AT A TIME!"

Kalani Sanchez giving his all

Newbury Park Ball: Seven plays covered the necessary 72 yards with Tyler Hwang finding Andrew Noble open in the end zone from 24 yards out for the score. Dario Longhetto split the uprights and it was now CCHS 34 - NPHS 7 with only 0:19 left in the First Half.

The ensuing NPHS Kickoff ended the first 24 minutes of the game as CCHS stayed in their huddle and let the clock run out with the score Dons 34 - Panthers 7.

Daniel "Frenchy" McCoy on the tackle

The halftime locker room was amazing given the circumstances. Every player committed themselves to playing as hard as they could on each play of the Second Half no matter what the score!

Kalani Sanchez on the move

Let's GET AFTER IT!

THIRD QUARTER:

Newbury Park Ball: The Panthers' grit showed through clearly with a 12 play, 80 yard drive ending in a second Hwang to Noble TD pass that covered a scant three yards. The PAT attempt was blocked but now it was CCHS 34 - NPHS 13

noble, Noble, NOBLE!!!

Cathedral Catholic Ball: The Dons were held to -2 yards on their first three plays of the Second Half, THREE AND OUT, PUNT!

Our team has character!

And a few characters too.

Tavis Valenzuela blocking for Noble

Newbury Park Ball: On our third play, we threw our second interception of the day when a Dons DB did a great job of wrestling the ball away as both players went high in the air for the ball.

I Know, yet another Noble picture

Cathedral Catholic Ball: The Dons were back at it running two plays for the needed 35 yards. The TD run was 21 yards long, the PAT was blocked by a great Andrew Noble effort and the Dons' lead was 40-13.

Open Field Action

Newbury Park Ball: The Panthers would just not "go quietly into that good night . . ." embarking on a five play, 80 yard drive with Hwang hitting Ryan Matlock on a 54 yard TD pass. The two-point PAT attempt was good as Hwang and Noble hooked up again. The tally was now Dons 40 - Panthers 21 with 40 seconds left in the Third Quarter.

Onward and Upward, EXCELSIOR!!!

Cathedral Catholic Ball: The Dons ran only one play as the Third Quarter ended with the score still Cathedral Catholic 40 - Newbury Park 21.

Noble Blocks a PAT

OC Scott Ellis rallying his QB

Nick Cellona on a nice 16 yard

pass reception and run

Noble for SIX!!!

Good Block by Vincent Carreon

Tackle by Noble

Kalani Sanchez Punt Block Attempt

Noble Blocks a PAT

Sling It Tyler!

Kaiden Raduziner catch . . .

. . . and RUN!!!

Kaiden played well today, his stat line was:

Six pass caught for 74 yards.

Seven First Hit Tackles, including one tackle for a loss of 2 yards and one QB Sack for a loss of 5 yards.

Three Kickoff Returns for 64 yards.

Ryan Matlock Busting a Move

This move sprang him on his 54 yard TD catch and run.

Raduziner SACK!

Two 55s

Two American Football Studs

Number 23 is our Andrew Noble, I don't know CCHS's #24's name but he CAN play!

Raduziner is on the march again

FOURTH QUARTER:

Cathedral Catholic Ball: The Dons continued their drive that started at the end of the Third Quarter. The total damage this time down the field was nine plays and 71 yards. The TD was a 13 yard run, the PAT was good, CCHS 47 - NPHS 21.

Ryan Matlock . . . GONE!

Newbury Park Ball: The never-say-die Panthers were at it again, 76 yards on 3 plays. Ryan Matlock took in a short pass from Tyler Hwang, picked up some good downfield blocks and rumbled 76 yards for a TD. The two-point PAT was no good, Dons 47 - NPHS 27 with 7:10 left in the game.

The Dons Offensive Line

owned the trenches on this day

It was time to put in our backups

The time was slipping away and we had players to get in.

Kickoff Tackle by Mike Estandian

Cathedral Catholic Ball: Lots of clean jerseys in the game now for both squads, but the result was the same. Five CCHS plays covered yet another 80 yards. The last snap was a 57 yard run, the PAT was good again and the Dons now led 54-27.

Nice Form Tackle by Dario Longhetto

Newbury Park Ball: On the second play of a five yard drive, we fumbled the ball away.

Cathedral Catholic Ball: CCHS ran three plays before taking a knee to end the game.

The FINAL SCORE

RECORDS:

Cathedral Catholic 5-0

Newbury Park 4-1

The Dons were good and deserved the win.

VERY PROUD OF OUR YOUNG

MEN OF HONOR!

Kaiden Raduziner

Game Hammer Winner

"Sometimes You Win,

Sometimes You Learn"

I don't know exactly where I found this quote but it truly applied on this day. As a coaching staff, we found out more about the character of our team than we ever did in winning our first four games.

We are working with some very resilient and coachable young men indeed!

POST-GAME

Daughter-in-Law Vanessa Contreras

with . . .

Grandson Jacob

Yes, sadly, the Ventura County Barber's Union strike is still on, going strong for over two years now.

How can you dwell on a loss when this positive fireball hits the field.

"DADDY!!!"

GOOD TIMES INDEED!!!

The Panthers will be back in action next Friday, October 3rd with another non-league road game. This time, the match-up will be:

Newbury Park Panthers 4-1

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Simi Valley Pioneers 1-4

The Pioneers are fresh off of an impressive first win of their campaign, here are their 2014 results: